Friday, 22 March 2013

Borderland Bride by Samantha Holt

Hi everyone,Today I have the lovely Samantha Holt joining us. Samantha writes fabulous medieval tales and is a fellow Jupiter Gardens Press author. Borderland Bride has just been released and is the first book in the Borderland Legacy Series.

Samantha resides in Warwickshire, England with her twin girls and
occasionally her husband, who works abroad. She admits that his long absences
often help get the creative juices flowing. She's a romance addict and has been
devouring all kinds of romance for as long as she can remember.

A huge history buff, Samantha likes to blend her love of the past
with her love of romance and create thrilling and passionate tales set
to medieval backdrops. She thinks there's nothing sexier than a
rugged warrior and a feisty maiden falling head over heels for each
other.

In the wilderness of 14th century Northumbria, Lady Isabel discovers
just how dangerous the borderlands can be. With the loss of her voice and her
hearing, there is little hope left for her. But when a brooding knight rescues
her, she vows never to become a victim again and buries the secrets of her past
in the hope that those hunting her will never find her in the borderlands.

Jake is astonished to come across the beautiful Isabel, near to death,
on his brother’s lands. Bringing her back to his brother’s home, he finds
himself longing for something more from the courageous woman, something that he
thought he would never want again. Isabel works her way into his scarred heart
and opens Jake up to loving once more. But will Isabel’s secrets destroy their
bond? And with his charismatic brother, Dominic, charming her, does he even
stand a chance?

“I cannot see
Thornewall suffer for my sake. And I cannot see you or Dominic harmed. Not for
me.”

“We are grown men;
will you not let us make these decisions ourselves? Thornewall is strong, we
have endured worse.”

Isabel shook her head.
“Nay, I will not see war brought to your door. If my father fails here, then he
will turn his attention to your lands. They have not the strength of Thornewall,
you have said as much yourself.”

Jake squeezed her arm
until he saw her wince. Damn his brutish manners. He could not let her throw
herself into the arms of a murderer for their sakes. “I can defend my lands,
lass. I’ve done it before and I’ll gladly do it again.”

But she was right,
Greycroft was ill prepared for a full-scale war and his own castle would not
hold out long against a siege. It was likely he would die defending it.

“That is what I fear,”
she said softly and Jake wondered if he had spoken aloud.

Her voice took on a
desperate quality and she pulled against his grip. “Let me go, Jake, for I
cannot allow you to place yourself in danger for me. Not for a woman that hurt
you so.”

He considered her and
saw the fear in her eyes - a fear that was not for herself, but for him, his
brother, and all their people. How he could ever have thought her as wicked as
his wife, he knew not. There was nothing in this lass but kindness. He gulped,
fighting the words he would have to say. There was no other way.

“Isabel, you do not
have to return.”

“I do, Jake!” She
struggled again.

“Listen…” He grabbed
at her other arm and pinned her still. “Listen, there is another way. Marry…”

She ceased her
struggles and stared at him.

“Marry Dominic.”

Isabel blinked at him.
“What?” she whispered.

“Marry Dominic. Your
father would be a fool to say nay to such an allegiance. He is one of the
richest men in England. There will be no war and you will be safe.”

Safe. He clung to the
word, trying to ignore the ache in his heart. It didn’t matter, as long as she
was safe. In spite of himself, he urged her to say nay, to confess her love for
him, but he knew it could come to nothing. He had nothing to offer Lord Henry
in return for her hand.

Isabel gaped at him.
“Marry Dominic? But…did he decide this?”

“Nay.” He sighed.
“‘Twas my idea.”

She gulped and her
eyes misted with tears as she took a deep breath. Her composure regained, she
shook her head in disbelief. “Why would you suggest such an idea?”

Coming
soon -

Borderland
Beauty

Book 2 of The Borderland Legacy

Dominic
of Thornewall has already lost out on one bride. Will he succeed in charming
his way into the heart of a second?

Lord Dominic is in need of a wife. With the
reivers, the wild and dangerous criminals that haunt the borderlands, breathing
down his neck and his brother now married, he needs a strong woman by his side.
So when he finds out about an old marriage contract between him and his
neighbour’s daughter, he vows to give the mysterious woman a chance. Upon
meeting the beautiful, feisty maiden, he vows to make her his wife.

Lucy Montgomery wants nothing to do with the
arrogant lord. Hurt by the past, she refuses to believe she is anything
more than a game to him. Surely a man like Dominic could never fall for a
woman like her. If only he wasn't so hard to resist…

Can Dominic persuade Lucy she is more than just
another woman to him? And with the reivers growing bolder, are there worse
dangers on the horizon than Lucy saying ‘nay’?

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About Me

Hi, I'm Nicole and thanks for dropping by.
I write historical, fantasy and contemporary romances.
I'm a hopeful romantic who is enchanted by love no matter the time period or the realm.
http://nicolehurley-moore.com/